Switching lamp construction



Feb. 26, 1963 A. GOLDSTEIN 3,079,493

swITcHING LAMP CONSTRUCTION Filed sept. 9, 1959 2 sheets-sheer 1 n alignFeb. 26, 1963 A. GoLDsTl-:IN

swITcHING LAMP CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1959 UnitedStates Patent Oiiice Blig Patented Feb. 26, 1953 3,07%,493 SWI'ICHINGLAMP CGNSTRUC'IIGN Arnold Goldstein, 3363 Trexler Blvd., Allentown, Fa.Filed Sept. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 838,884 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-123) Thisinvention relates generally to the field of illumination and moreparticularly to a lamp construction of the switching type.

In the field of lamps, there are various forms in which a source ofillumination is provided with a shade and in which a switch forconnecting or disconnecting the source of energy is associated with theshade. While it is known to provide an orice in the shade (which maynormally be composed of a relatively rigid heat-resisting material) andto mount the shank of a switch in such orilice, such small switchespresent `the disadvantage that because of heat conductivity, they getdangerously hot and are not easily located and grasped.

To avoid such diiiiculties, it has been proposed to provide a largehandle or knob element. While this may provide `better heat dissipation,the greater eccentric leverage afforded by such elements tends to bendthe spindle of the switch thereby causing binding and inconsistentoperation.

It is therefore among the objects oi' the present invention to provideimproved construction of the character described which will obviate suchdiiculties.

Another object herein lies in the provision of structure of the classdescribed which provides a smooth bearing relationship between the knobelement and shade element thereby affording proper support for theswitch spindle and providing smooth consistent operation.

Another object herein lies in the provision of switching lampconstruction which enables rapid non-skilled assembly and which providesautomatic accommodation for relatively large manufacturing tolerances inthe interrelated positioning ofthe parts.

A still further object herein lies in the provision of switching lampstructure which, while alording the advantages set forth hereinabove,utilizes a minimum of low-cost parts so that the same may bemanufactured in large scale at low cost with a consequent widedistribution and use.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fullyappear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in theappended claim.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary perspective view showing an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen fromthe plane 2--2 on FIGURE 1 showing the knob element atan early stage ofinstallation.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view comparable to FIGURE 2but showing the knob element as completely installed.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective View, as seen from below, of theconnecting element.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the connecting element.

FIGURE 6 is va bottom plan view of the connecting element.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view comparable to FIGURES2 and 3 but showing the position of the parts where the switch has ashort spindle or actuating element.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view correspondinggenerally to one which might be taken from the plane X-X on FIGURE 6 butshowing prior art construction with a short spindle switch.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding toFIGURE 8 but showing a long spindle switch.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the reinforcing member of the secondembodiment.

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 11-11 on FIGURE 10.

FIGURES 12, 13 and 14 are fragmentary sectional views comparablegenerally to FIGURES 2, 3 and 7 but show the second embodiment.

FIGURE l5 is a bottom plan view of the handle or knob element with theconnecting element and reinforcing member of the second embodimentinstalled. l

FIGURE 16 is an elevational view of the reinforcing member showing itsdished condition after installation.

FIGURE 17 is a sectional view as seen from the plane 17-17 on FIGURE 16.

In accordance with the invention, the construction generally indicatedby reference character 10, comprises broadly: a shade element 12; aswitch 14; a switch spindle 16; a connecting element 18 and a knobelement 2t).

The shade element 12 is provided with an orifice 22 within which ismounted the switch 14. The switch 14 may be of a suitable type having anaxially disposed spindle 16 and said switch may be part of an assemblywhich includes the socket 24, the lat-ter carrying the usualincandescent 'bulb or similar source of illumination 26. Thus, thesocket 24 may have secured thereto in a suitable manner as by the rivets23 the mounting bracket 3l) to which is connected the threaded bushing32.

The assembly of the socket 24 and the switch 14, mounting bracket 30 andthreaded bushing 32 is a commercially available product, and for thepurpose of this disclosure is exemplary. It is this fact that createsthe problem which is solved by the present invention. The assemblies,being commercially produced with large tolerance, have spindles 16 whichvary considerably in length. Furthermore, where the shades are composedof a number of parts which nest, and through which the spindle must bepassed, similar variation in spindle projection will result.

FFIGURES 8 and 9 show what has happened with prior art structures. InFIGURE 8 the knob 120 has a hollow nut 113 threaded upon the spindle116. Since the exposed portion of the spindle 116 is too short, beforethe end 117 of the spindle 116 can touch the inner surface 119 of theknob element 120, the rim 121 has` jammed up tight against the exteriorof the shade element 112. This locking prevents further rotation of theswitch spindle 116 and stops operation thereof. The opposite of thissituation is depicted in FIGURE 9. Here the spindle 216 is too long andthe end 217 has contacted the inner surface 219 of the knob element 220so that the knob element cannot be further rotated with respect to thespindle. This results in the rim 221 being spaced away from the shadeelement 212. Now the wide diameter knob element 220 is supported solelyby the thin spindle 216 which is easily bent out of its axis to causedamage or erratic operation. Furthermore, the loose lit of the spindle216 in the bushing 232 is ampli-tied by the leverage effect of the largediameter knob. This produces an undesirable feeling when the switch isoperated.

Turning to the present construction shown in FIG- URES l to 7, andparticularly FIGURES 4 to 6, the connector element is preferablyfabricated from a blank of planar material which is stili but has asubstantial amount of resiliency. The body 34 is preferably dat andextending from the ends of the body are a pair of wings 36 and 33 whichare angularly disposed and project in a downward direction as viewed inFIGURE 5. The transverse edges 49 and 42 at the corners form points 41and 43. The total length of the body 34 is such that the distancebetween diagonally located points 41 and 43 is substantially 'equal toor slightly greater than the corresponding diameter of the bore 44 ofthe knob element 20. The connector element 18 has a nut member Y45 whichis spaced and parallel to the inner or bottom surface 46. 'I'he nutmember 45 is held in position by a bracket 47. The nut member andbracket are formed by'a tab cut from the body 34 and bent to shape. Thethreaded hole 48 is adapted to engage the spindle 16. I The knob elementis preferably composed of wood, synthetic resin, or the like which iselectrically insulating and has low lheat conductivity. The material ofwhich the knob Yelement is composed is preferably soft enough so thatthe points 41 and 43 may dig into the bore 44.

V4Inbass'e'mbling the construction (see PIG. 2), with the upper surfacesubstantially in Contact with the inner or under surfacef19` of the knobelement 20. The points 41 and 43 frictionally engage the wall of thebore 44. 'I 'he switch 14 and socket 24 as assembled on the bracket 30and bushing 32 are connectedto the shade element 12. The nut 5,0 holdsthe parts as shown in FIGURE 3, Now the nut member 45 is started on thespindle 16. As the knob is rotated the `spindle 16 passes through thenut member -45 until the end 17 of the spindle buts against surfacev 46(FIG. 3). The axial length of the bore 44 is such that the rim 21 hascontacted the shade element 12vbefore the end 17 has contacted surface46. The result of this is that as the knob element 20 is turned, thebody 34 is pulled down as` viewed in FIGURE 3. Since the points 41 and43 are already in contact with the bore 44, the body 34 and wings 36 and38 tend to straighten out, and the points 41 and 43 dig into the surfaceof the bore 44. The nut member 45 is drawn down toward the bushing 32.'Ihis puts axial pressure in the nut member 45 and thesurface 46 on thethreaded spindle 16 securing the knob in place, while the iiexed wings36 and 38 in seeking their originally position resiliently urge therim21 upon the shade element 12 lproducing a slight friction thereat. Thisgives a smooth feel andY action to the rotation of the knob element.

' Where the spindle 16 is too long, the connecting element 18 need notbe inserted all the way into the bore 44, as soon as the spindle 16engages the nut member 45'and pulls it down this causes the points 41and 43 to dig into the walls of the bore 44.

The case of a short 'spindle is illustrated in FIGURE 7, this hasproduced a downward bowing in the body 34 so that thespindle is securedbetween the nut member 45,-' and the surface 46 of the body. A greaterpressure. is produced by the rim 21 against the shade element 12 butthis is softened by the exure of the wings 36 and 38u to produce astable feel.

Thus, in the present construction the knob element 20 rides on the shadeelement with no wiggle or backlash. vTurning now to the secondembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1Q to 17, inclusive,for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition, certain of the partscorresponding to those of the frst'embodiment are given the samereference characters with the addition of a prefix 2.

The second embodiment` differs from the first embodiment principally inthe inclusion of a reinforcing member generally indicated by referencecharacter 260. The reinforcing member 260V is preferably obtained bydeforming a planar blank 261 of relatively stiff deformable materialsu`ch asy sheetk metal, for example sheet steel. The blank 267.1 ispreferably llat up to the point ofr installation at which time itbecomes convex on its concealed surface 262 and concave on the exposedsurface 263 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The reinforcing member 260 isprovided with a central orifice 264 through or into which the body 234may be drawn by the nut member 245 when the latter isY pulled down asviewed, for example, in FIGURE 14.

The reinforcing member 260 has a periphery 265 which is provided with aplurality of radially projecting points 266. The points 266 arepreferably obtained by having the member 260 with a polygonal edge 267.The diametrical distance between the opposite points 266 is slightlyVgreater than the effective internal diameter of the bore 244.

Thus, the reinforcing member l260 may be installed subsequent to theinstallation of the connecting element 218, or may be installedsimultaneously therewith.y The points 2,66 dig into the surface of thebore 244 and the member 260 is thus enabled to yprevent the accidentalor undesirable removal of the connecting element 218 under conditions ofsevere stress upon the knob element 22,0 relative to the shade element212. Under certain conditions of stress of that character, it ispossible in the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7, for example, for'theconnecting element 218 to be accidentally drawn in such manner as tosnap beyond a dead-center position thereof. This condition is preventedby the presence of the reinforcing member 260 which may be made ofrelatively stiff material since even its dished formation entails lessdistortion than that to which the connecting element 18 (218,) may besubject.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described for obviousmodifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which thepresent invention relates.

I claim;

In a switching-lamp construction, includinga shade ele,- ment, `aswitchsecured to said shade element and having a threaded spindlelarrangedfor rotation about an axis, and a knobv supported by saidspindle, improved connecting means for interconnecting vsaid knob tosaid spindle, comprising: said knob having a generally cy-Vlindrically-shaped recess therein, a resilient connector element ofgenerally planar polygonal configuration forming diagonally locatedpoints which are spaced a distance slightly greater than the diameter ofsaid recess in said knob, said connecting element having a'degree offlexibility and resiliently engaging the inner surface of said recess,said connecting element having a tab cut from the planar body. thereofand including a first portion extending substantially. ata right anglewith respect to said planar body, and a second portion disposed inspaced substantially parallel relation with respect to said planar body,there being a threaded bore extending through said second portion, said`threaded spindle being engaged within said threaded bore to a degreewherein the terminal portion thereof contacts an abutting surfaceof theplanar body of said connector element to limit further engagement uponthe mpartation of rotational movement to said knob.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS DeMartin May 15, 1917

